Unified playback position

ABSTRACT

Improved techniques for interacting with media content so as to provide a unified experience of media content across different client devices in a client-server environment are disclosed. Media content may be displayed on first display of a first client device. Using a server computer, a status of the media content may be communicated from the first client device to a second client device. The media content may be displayed on a second display of the second client device, in accordance with the status of the media content from the first client device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO OTHER APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 61/657,878, filed Jun. 10, 2012, entitled “UNIFIED PLAYBACKPOSITION,” which is herein incorporated by reference

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Today, powered by recent advances in digital media technology, there isa rapid increase in a variety of different ways of interacting withdigital media content, such as images (e.g., photos), text, audio items(e.g., audio files, including music or songs), or videos (e.g., movies).In the past, consumers were constrained to interacting with digitalmedia content on their desktop or in their living room of their home.Today, portability lets people enjoy digital media content at any timeand in any place, using a variety of different media devices.

While portability of media content and availability of a variety ofdifferent media devices with different sizes, weights and capabilitiesoffers many options to users, some challenges still remain. Onedifficulty is that interaction with media content across differentdevices may be tedious, difficult or confusing to some users. Further,while in any given set of circumstances, one device may be preferredover another, changing from one device to another tends to be difficult,confusing or inconvenient.

For example, while a full size device may provide a rich experience of afootball game video at home, circumstances change when a viewer isinterrupted by needing to leave home, for example, to catch a ride tothe airport. Under such changed circumstances, a portable device wouldbe needed to view the video. The user would need to provide the footballgame video to the portable device and thereafter start playback of thevideo while riding to the airport. Hence, a significant amount of careand effort is required for a user to change between devices.

Thus, there is a need for improved techniques for interacting with mediacontent across different devices in a client-server environment.

SUMMARY

Improved techniques are disclosed for interacting with media content soas to provide a unified playback experience of the media content acrossdifferent devices in a client-server environment. The media content maycomprise digital media content, such as images (e.g., photos), text,audio items (e.g., audio files, including music or songs or podcasts),or videos (e.g., movies).

Media content may be displayed on a first display of a first clientdevice. Using a server computer, playback status of the media contentmay be communicated from the first client device to a second clientdevice. The media content may be displayed on a second display of thesecond client device, in accordance with playback status of the mediacontent from the first client device.

Similarly, using the server computer, playback status of the mediacontent may be communicated from the second client device to the firstclient device. The media content may be displayed on the first displayof the first client device, in accordance with playback status of themedia content from the second client device.

For example, one of the client devices may comprise a handheldmultifunction device capable of various media activities, such asplaying or displaying each of images (e.g., photos), text, audio items(e.g., audio files, including music or songs or podcasts), and videos(e.g., movies) in digital form. Another one of the client devices maycomprise a non-handheld base computing unit, which is also capable ofsuch various media activities. Using the server computer and playbackstatus communications between the server and the client devices,interaction with media content across different devices may be managed.Further, while in any given set of circumstances, one client device maybe preferred over another, changing from experiencing playback of mediacontent on one client device to experiencing playback of media contenton another client device may be facilitated by unifying access toplayback status across the various client devices.

The invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as amethod, system, device, apparatus, or computer readable medium. Severalembodiments of the invention are discussed below.

As a computer implemented method for unifying playback status accessacross a plurality of client devices the invention includes at least theacts of: receiving a write request for playback status metadata at aserver via a computer network from a first client device, wherein theplayback status metadata is descriptive of a playback status of mediacontent on the first client device, and retrieving a server recordrelating to the playback status metadata.

As a computer implemented method for updating playback status theinvention includes at least the acts of: receiving a write request at aserver via a computer network from a portable multifunction clientdevice and descriptive of a playback status of displaying media contenton a touch screen display of the portable multifunction client device,and updating using the server to generate an updated record of playbackstatus of the media content in response to receiving the write requestfrom the portable multifunction client device.

As a computer implemented method for managing playback status access fora plurality of client devices the invention includes at least the actsof: receiving a first write request for playback status metadata at aserver via a computer network from a first client device of a firstuser, wherein the playback status metadata of the first write request isdescriptive of a playback status of media content on the first clientdevice of the first user, and receiving a second write request forplayback status metadata at the server via the computer network from afirst client device of a second user, wherein the playback statusmetadata of the second write request is descriptive of a playback statusof media content on the first client device of the second user.

As a computer system for managing playback status access for a pluralityof client devices one embodiment includes at least a server computer; afirst client device of a first user coupled with the server computer andconfigured for transmitting a first write request for playback statusmetadata to the server computer, wherein the playback status metadata ofthe first write request is descriptive of a playback status of mediacontent on the first client device of the first user; and a secondclient device of the first user coupled with the server computer andconfigured for transmitting a first read request for playback statusmetadata to the server computer.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system for managing playbackstatus access for a plurality of client devices according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 2 is a simplified detailed block diagram illustrating the computersystem shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A-3G are simplified, more detailed block diagrams illustratingoperation of the computer system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of the writerequest for playback status metadata as shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 5 is simplified, more detailed diagram illustrating the server,accounts storage and in particular the second user account shown in FIG.2.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for unifying playback statusaccess and/or updating playback status according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process for managing playback statusaccess for a plurality of client devices according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to improved techniques and systems for interactingwith media content so as to provide a unified playback experience of themedia content across different devices in a client-server environment.The media content may comprise digital media content, such as images(e.g., photos), text, audio items (e.g., audio files, including music orsongs or podcasts), or videos (e.g., movies).

Media content may be displayed on a first display of a first clientdevice. Using a server computer, playback status of the media contentmay be communicated from the first client device to a second clientdevice. The media content may be displayed on a second display of thesecond client device, in accordance with playback status of the mediacontent from the first client device.

For example, playback status of the first client device may be a statusof paused at a particular playback position of the media content, when afirst user pauses playback of the media content on the first clientdevice. The first client device may communicate the playback status ofthe first client device to the server. The server may update a serverrecord relating to the first user and/or the playback status of themedia content on the first client device. The server may communicate tothe second client device the playback status of the first client device.The media content may be displayed on the second display of the secondclient device, in accordance with playback status of the media contentfrom the first client device. More specifically, in this particularexample, media content may be displayed on the second client device inaccordance with the status of paused at the particular playback positionof the media content just discussed. Playback of the media content mayresume on the second client device at the particular playback positionwhere the media content was paused on the first client device.

Similarly, using the server computer, playback status of the mediacontent may be communicated from the second client device to the firstclient device. The media content may be displayed on the first displayof the first client device, in accordance with playback status of themedia content from the second client device.

For example, one of the client devices may comprise a handheldmultifunction device capable of various media activities, such asplaying or displaying each of images (e.g., photos), text, audio items(e.g., audio files, including music or songs), and videos (e.g., movies)in digital form. Another one of the client devices may comprise anon-handheld base computing unit, which is also capable of such variousmedia activities. Using the server computer, and playback statuscommunications between the server and the client devices, interactionwith media content across different devices may be managed. Further,while in any given set of circumstances, one client device may bepreferred over another, changing from experiencing playback of mediacontent on one client device to experiencing playback of media contenton another client device may be facilitated by unifying access toplayback status across the various client devices.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS.1-7. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that thedetailed description given herein with respect to these figures is forexplanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limitedembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system 100 for managing playbackstatus access for a plurality of client devices according to oneembodiment. The computer system 100 may comprise a server computer 102.

As shown in FIG. 1, server computer 102 may be coupled to each of aplurality of client devices 120A, 1208, 140A, 1408 of computer system100 via data network 106. In one embodiment, the data network 106comprises at least a portion of the Internet. Each of the client devices120A, 1208, 140A, 1408 may comprise a respective computer runningsoftware for interacting over data network 106 with software modulesrunning on server computer 102 for a media file manager 110, as well asa playback status metadata manager 114.

The server computer 102 may coordinate obtaining, storing, and/oraccessing digital media items using the digital media file manager 110.As will be discussed in greater detail subsequently herein, the servercomputer 102 can also manage playback status access for various clientdevices, and more particularly may update records of playback status,using the playback status metadata manager 114.

Each digital media item, or more particularly each digital media filefor each digital media item, may be uniquely identified by a media fileidentification number. Media file identification numbers of the digitalmedia files may be generated in various ways. For example, if a mediafile identification number is not already assigned to identify a digitalmedia file, a hashing function may be used to generate the media fileidentification number by hashing metadata associated with the digitalmedia file (e.g. by hashing a name of the digital media file togetherwith other descriptive metadata, for example, an episode description).To facilitate storage of the digital media items, and to manage accessto digital media items, the digital media file manager 110 of servercomputer 102 may be coupled with a server digital media file library112. The server digital media file library 112 may store digital mediaitems accessible within computer system 100.

Each one of various client devices may be uniquely identified by itsrespective client device identification number. Respective client deviceidentification numbers may be electronically stored within each clientdevice, and may be accessible over data network 106 by coupling of thevarious client devices thereto.

Each user of the computer system 100 may have a respective user account.A first plurality of client devices may be associated with a grouping ofa first user and/or first user account, by associating the client deviceidentification numbers of such client devices with the grouping of thefirst user and/or first user account. Such association may be recordedin a first user device record, which may be managed by server computer102.

The foregoing is illustrated in FIG. 1 by first and second clientdevices 120A and 1208 of a first user. The first and second clientdevices 120A and 1208 may each be uniquely identified by theirrespective device identification numbers. The first and second clientdevices 120A and 1208 may be associated with the grouping of the firstuser and/or first user account 130, by associating the client deviceidentification numbers of such client devices with the grouping of thefirst user and/or first user account 130. In FIG. 1 the foregoing isrepresentatively illustrated using a first dashed line box with thelegend “First User 130”, so as to show association of the first andsecond client devices 120A and 1208 with the grouping of the first userand/or first user account 130.

As mentioned previously, such association may be recorded in the firstuser device record, which may be managed by server computer 102.Accordingly, in light of such association, it should be understood thatthe server computer 102 can identify the first user and/or first useraccount when any of the client devices of the first user access theserver computer using device identification numbers of such clientdevices of the first user.

Similarly, FIG. 1 shows first and second client devices 140A and 1408 ofa second user. The first and second client devices 140A and 1408 of thesecond user may each be uniquely identified by their respective deviceidentification numbers. The first and second client devices 140A and1408 of the second user may be associated with a grouping of the seconduser and/or second user account 150, by associating the client deviceidentification numbers of such client devices with the grouping of thesecond user and/or second user account 150. In FIG. 1 the foregoing isrepresentatively illustrated using a second dashed line box with thelegend “Second User 150”, so as to show association of the first andsecond client devices 140A and 1408 of the second user with the groupingof the second user and/or second user account 150.

Such association may be recorded in a second user device record, whichmay be managed by server computer 102. Accordingly, in light of suchassociation, it should be understood that the server computer 102 canidentify the second user and/or second user account when any of theclient devices of the second user access the server computer usingdevice identification numbers of such client devices of the second user.

Each of the client devices 120A, 1208, 140A, 1408 of computer system 100may have its own respective digital media file library 124A, 1248, 144A,1448 and digital media player 122A, 122B, 142A, 142B for playing digitalmedia items from its digital media file library. The client devices120A, 1208, 140A, 1408 can vary with application but generally arenetwork accessible computing devices that have memory storage. Often,the clients 120A, 120B, 140A, 140B are personal computers or othercomputing devices (e.g., PDA, portable digital media player, mobiletelephone) that may be capable of storing and displaying and/orotherwise presenting digital media to their users. Each of the digitalmedia players 122A, 122B, 142A, 142B can be an application program(e.g., specific software application or web browser program) thatoperates on the client devices 120A, 120B, 140A, 140B. One popularexample of the digital media player is the iTunes® client software.

The media file manager 110 of server 102 can facilitate synchronizingpresence of digital media items in digital media file libraries withineach grouping of client devices within by user and/or user account. Forexample, media file manager 110 of server 102 can facilitatesynchronizing presence of digital media items in digital media filelibraries 124A, 124B of the first and second client devices 120A, 120Bof the first user, since the first and second client devices 120A, 120Bare associated with the grouping of the first user and/or first useraccount 130. By synchronizing and/or mirroring presence of digital mediaitems in digital media file libraries 124A, 124B of the first and secondclient devices 120A, 120B, the digital media items are convenientlyavailable to be played by the first user on both of the first and secondclient devices 120A, 120B.

For example, if a media item present on one client device of the firstuser is absent from another client device of the first user, the mediafile manager 110 of server 102 can facilitate providing the first userwith access to any such missing media items on any or all client devicesof the first user by synchronizing and/or mirroring the digital mediafile libraries 124A, 124B. In some embodiments, to provide for suchsynchronization, the media file manager 110 of the server 102 may locatein the server media file library 112 the digital media file for thedigital media item that is missing from one of the client devices, andtransmit this digital media file to that one of the client devices.

Similarly, the media file manager 110 of server 102 can likewisefacilitate synchronizing presence of digital media items in digitalmedia file libraries of the first and second client devices 140A, 140Bof the second user, since the first and second client devices 140A, 1408are associated with the grouping of the second user and/or second useraccount 150.

In some implementations, some or all of the digital media filescontained within the digital media file libraries 124A, 1248, 144A, 1448may be associated with playback status metadata 126A, 1268, 146A, 1468.For example, on the first client device 120A of the first user, adigital media file of a particular video media item may be associatedwith playback status metadata 126A of a playback position value. Forexample, playback status of the digital media file may be a status ofpaused at a particular playback position of the video media item, whenthe first user pauses playback of the video media item on the firstclient device 120A. Playback status of the digital media file maycomprise a status describing whether the digital media file has beenplayed and/or a status describing a number of times the digital medialfile has been played.

The first client device 120A may communicate the playback status of thefirst client device to the server 102 via the data network 106, forexample, by sending a first write request for playback status metadatato the playback status metadata manager 114 of the server 102. Theplayback status metadata 126 may be descriptive of the playback statusof the digital media file (e.g. video media item) on the first clientdevice 120A. For example, the playback status metadata 126A may comprisethe playback position value relating to the pause status of theparticular video media item, as just discussed.

Furthermore, when the playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102receives the first write request for playback status metadata from thefirst client device 120A, the first write request may identify thedigital media file that is related to the playback status metadata, forexample, by using the media file identification number for the digitalmedia file.

Additionally, the first write request may identify the first useraccount and/or the first user. Such identification may be direct, or maybe indirect. For example, the first write request may include the deviceidentification number of the first client device 120A. For example, thefirst client device 120A may have a client device identification number“441029”. As mentioned previously, using associations that may berecorded in the first user device record, server computer 102 canidentify the first user and/or first user account when any of the clientdevices 120A, 1208 of the first user access the server computer 102using device identification numbers of such client devices of the firstuser.

Furthermore, the first write request may include one or more namespaces,which may comprise one or more of various playback status metadata typenamespaces that relate to the playback status metadata. For example, thefirst write request may comprise a designation of a playback positionnamespace (e.g. “position”) that relates to the playback position valuein the playback status metadata for the particular video item.

The various identification items just discussed may be included togetherin the first write request. Any of the various identification items justdiscussed may comprise a key in the first write request. For example,the digital media file (e.g. video media item) that has the pausedstatus on the first client device 120A and is related to the playbackstatus metadata of the first write request may have a media fileidentification number “5512345”; and the first write request maycomprise the designation of the playback position namespace (e.g.“position”). Accordingly, in this example, the various identificationitems may comprise a key in the first write request of “5512345.position”. In the first write request, this key may be associated withthe playback position value of the playback status metadata to provide akey-value pair. This key-value pair may also be associated with a baseversion number, which may be an integer (which can be incremented) fortracking revisions of the playback status metadata 126A on the firstclient device 120A.

When the playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 receives thefirst write request for playback status metadata from the first clientdevice 120A, the playback status metadata manager 114 may identify anaccount of the first user using the client device identification number(e.g. “441029”) of the first client device 120A, and may use the key(e.g. 5512345. position) to locate and retrieve a server record in thefirst user account of playback status metadata storage 118 in accountsstorage 116. This server record may relate to playback status ofplayback position (e.g. “position”) of the particular digital media file(e.g. “5512345”) for the first user. Additionally, this server recordmay comprise a domain version number, which may be an integer (which canbe incremented) for tracking revisions of the playback status metadatain the account of the first user in the playback status metadata storage118 in the accounts storage 116.

The playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 may compare thedomain version number of the server record and the base version numberof the playback status metadata of the first write request. The playbackstatus metadata manager 114 of server 102 may transmit a versionconflict notification to the first client device 120A based uponcomparison of the domain version number of the server record and thebase version number of the playback status metadata of the first writerequest (for example, if the comparison shows that the base versionnumber is smaller, or earlier than the domain version number). Theplayback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 may determine whetherto update the server record based at least in part upon the comparisonof the base version number of the playback status metadata of the firstwrite request and the domain version number of the server record. Oncethe playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 has determined toupdate the server record, the playback status metadata manager 114 mayupdate the server record and may store the updated server recordmetadata in the account of the first user in the playback statusmetadata storage 118 in the accounts storage 116. Further, the domainversion number may be updated when the server record is updated.

The server 102 may be coupled to accounts storage 116 for the varioususers of computer system 100. In general, each user account in theaccounts storage 116 may have respective playback status metadatastorage 118 for each user. The accounts storage 116 may comprise adatabase, and may be accessed by the playback status metadata manager114 of server 102, for accessing and/or retrieving and/or updatingserver records relating to the various users. In particular, theplayback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 may access and/orretrieve and/or update server records relating to playback status ofdigital media files by each of the users of the computer system 100.Accordingly, the playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 mayaccess and/or retrieve and/or update the server record relating to thefirst user and/or the playback status of the digital media file (e.g.video media item).

The server 102 may communicate to the second client device 1208 theplayback status of the first client device 120A. For example, theplayback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 may receive a firstread request for playback status metadata from the second client device1208.

When the playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 receives thefirst read request for playback status metadata from the second clientdevice 1208, the first read request may identify the digital media filethat is related to the first read request, for example, by using themedia file identification number for the digital media file.Additionally, the first read request may identify the first user accountand/or the first user. As discussed previously, such identification maybe direct, or may be indirect. For example, the first read request mayinclude the device identification number of the second client device1208. For example, the second client device 1208 may have a clientdevice identification number “441030”. As mentioned previously, usingassociations that may be recorded in the first user device record,server computer 102 can identify the first user and/or first useraccount when any of the client devices 120A, 1208 of the first useraccess the server computer 102 using device identification numbers ofsuch client devices of the first user.

Furthermore, the first read request may include one or more namespaces,which may comprise one or more of various playback status metadata typenamespaces that relate to the playback status metadata. For example, thefirst read request may comprise the designation of the playback positionnamespace (e.g. “position”) that relates to the playback position valuein the playback status metadata for the particular video item.

Just as discussed previously herein with respect to the first writerequest of the first client device 120, the various identification itemsjust discussed may be included together in the first read request. Anyof the various identification items just discussed may comprise a key inthe first read request. For example, the digital media file (e.g. videomedia item) that has the paused status at the pause position on thefirst client device 120A and is to be resumed for play starting from thepause position on the second client device may have the media fileidentification number “5512345”; and the first read request may comprisethe designation of the playback position namespace (e.g. “position”).Accordingly, just as with the first write request discussed previously,in this example, the various identification items may comprise a key inthe first read request of “5512345. position”. In the first readrequest, this key may be associated with the playback position value ofthe playback status metadata to provide the key-value pair. Thiskey-value pair may also be associated with a base version number, whichmay be an integer (which can be incremented) for tracking revisions ofthe playback status metadata 1268 on the second client device 1208.

When the playback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 receives thefirst read request for playback status metadata from the second clientdevice 1208, the playback status metadata manager 114 may identify anaccount of the first user using the client device identification number(e.g. “441030”) of the second client device 1208, and may use the key(e.g. “5512345. position”) to locate and retrieve a server record (whichin this example, may be the updated server record, as discussedpreviously) in the first user account of playback status metadatastorage 118 in accounts storage 116. This server record may relate toplayback status of playback position (e.g. “position”) of the particulardigital media file (e.g. “5512345”) for the first user. Additionally,this server record may comprise the domain version number, as discussedpreviously. The playback status metadata manager 114 may compare thedomain version number to the base version number of the first readrequest.

Once the server record of the playback status metadata is retrieved, theplayback status metadata manager 114 of server 102 may transmit theplayback status metadata to the second client device 1208 in response tothe first read request from the second client device. The digital mediafile (e.g. video media item) may be displayed on the display of thesecond client device 1208, in accordance with playback status of themedia content from the first client device 120A. More specifically, inthis particular example, the digital media file may be displayed on thesecond client device 1208 in accordance with the status of paused at theparticular playback position of the digital media file as discussedpreviously. Playback of the digital media file may resume on the secondclient device 1208 at the particular playback position where the mediacontent was paused on the first client device 120A.

In the example just discussed the first user can pause play of theparticular digital media file at a particular playback position on thefirst client device 120A of the first user, and then resume play of theparticular digital media file at that particular playback position onthe second client device 1208 of the first user. This may be facilitatedby the playback status metadata manager 114 of server computer 102receiving the first write request for playback status metadata from thefirst client device 120A of the first user. For example, the firstclient device 120A may initiate the first write request when playback ispaused on the first client device. The playback status metadata manager114 of server computer 102 may receive the first read request forplayback status metadata from the second device 1208 of the first user.For example, the second client device 1208 may initiate the first readrequest when the second client device 1208 is activated, or may initiatethe first read request when the second client device 1208 engages in amedia activity.

In some embodiments that first client device 120A may be a portablemultifunction client device 120A having a touchscreen display. In suchcase, the first write request for playback status metadata may bedescriptive of playback status of displaying media content on the touchscreen display of the portable multifunction client device. Inparticular, the first write request may be descriptive of status ofprogress of the portable multifunction device 120A in playing the mediacontent on the touch screen display. The receiving of the first writerequest at the server computer 102 may be in response to a predefinedgesture on the touch screen display or a media activity of the portablemultifunction client device.

The receiving of the first write request at the server computer 102 maybe in response to pausing or stopping of the displaying media content onthe touch screen display of the portable multifunction client device120A. The first write request may be descriptive of a playback positionof the pausing or stopping of the displaying media content on the touchscreen display of the portable multifunction client device 120A.

The playback status metadata manager 114 of server computer 102 maygenerate an updated record of playback status of the media content inresponse to receiving the first write request from the portablemultifunction client device 120A. The playback status metadata manager114 of server computer 102 may store the updated record of playbackstatus of the media content in the first user account of playback statusmetadata storage 118 in accounts storage 116.

In some embodiments, the second client device 1208 of the first user maybe may be a remote client device 1208 with a remote display. Theplayback status metadata manager 114 of server computer 102 may receivethe first read request from remote client device 1208. The receiving ofthe first read request at the server computer 102 may be in response toa media activity of the remote client device 1208.

The playback status metadata manager 114 of server computer 102 maytransmit the updated record of playback status of the media content tothe remote client device 1208. The transmitting of the updated record ofplayback status of the media content from the server computer 102 to theremote client 1208 may provide for display of the media content on theremote display of the remote client 1208 in accordance with the statusof the portable multifunction client device 120A. In particular, thetransmitting the updated record of playback status of the media contentfrom the server computer 102 to the remote client device 1208 mayprovide for playing the media content on the remote display inaccordance with the status of progress of the portable multifunctionclient device 120A in playing the media content on the touch screendisplay. The transmitting of the updated record of playback status ofthe media content from the server computer 102 to the remote clientdevice 1208 may provide for resuming playback display of the mediacontent on the remote display of the remote client device, in accordancewith the playback position of the pausing or stopping of the displayingmedia content on the touch screen display of the portable multifunctionclient device 120A.

While the foregoing examples focused on the media activity of the firstuser on the first and second client devices 120A, 1208 of the firstuser, the computer system 100 may likewise accommodate media activity ofthe second user, on the first and second client devices 140A, 1408 ofthe second user. The second user can pause play of the particulardigital media file just discussed (the same or different media file) ata particular playback position on the first client device 140A of thesecond user, and then resume play of the particular digital media fileat that particular playback position on the second client device 1408 ofthe second user. This may be facilitated by the playback status metadatamanager 114 of server computer 102 receiving a second write request forplayback status metadata from the first client device 140A of the seconduser. The playback status metadata manager 114 of server computer 102may receive a second read request for playback status metadata from thesecond device 1408 of the second user.

FIG. 2 is a simplified detailed block diagram illustrating the computersystem 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows media file manager 210 andplayback status metadata manager 214 of server computer 202. Theplayback status metadata manager 214 of server computer 202 may becoupled to accounts storage 212 for accessing and/or retrieving and/orupdating the server record 295 of the first user playback statusmetadata in the first user account 281. Similarly, the playback statusmetadata manager 214 of server computer 202 may be coupled to accountsstorage 212 for accessing and/or retrieving and/or updating the serverrecord 296 of the second user playback status metadata in the seconduser account 282.

The playback status metadata manager 214 of server computer 202 may becoupled to accounts storage 212 for accessing and/or retrieving and/orupdating a respective domain-wide version number, which may beassociated with each user account 281, 282. For each user account 281,282 the playback status metadata manager 214 may update (e.g. increment)the respective domain-wide version number when server records associatedwith each user account 281, 282 are updated.

The respective domain-wide version number associated with each useraccount 281, 282 may be employed by the playback status metadata manager214 for improving speed and/or efficiency in updating playback statusmetadata for respective client devices associated with each user account281, 282. In other words, the respective domain-wide version numberassociated with each user account 281, 282 may be used by the playbackstatus metadata manager 214 as a fast way for client devices associatedwith each user account 281, 282 to request all changes for each useraccount 281, 282 since the last (most recent previous) update request.In this way, using the respective domain-wide version number for eachuser account, server computer 202 may avoid transmitting, and clientdevices may avoid requesting and/or receiving, records that were notupdated since the last (most recent previous) update request for eachuser account. Using the respective domain-wide version number for eachuser account, client devices may request and/or receive only recordsthat were updated since the last (most recent previous) update requestfor each user account (i.e. “delta” or difference records that aredifferent or updated.)

For example the playback status metadata manager 214 of server computer202 may be coupled to accounts storage 212 for accessing and/orretrieving and/or updating a first domain-wide version number, which maybe associated with first user account 281. For the first user account281, the playback status metadata manager 214 may update (e.g.increment) the first domain-wide version number when server recordsassociated with first user account are updated.

The first domain-wide version number associated with the first useraccount 281 may be employed by the playback status metadata manager 214for improving speed and/or efficiency in updating playback statusmetadata for first and second client devices of the first user, whichmay be associated with first user account 281. In other words, the firstdomain-wide version number associated with the first user account 281may be used by the playback status metadata manager 214 as a fast wayfor client devices of the first user to request all changes for thefirst user account 281 since the last (most recent previous) updaterequest. In this way, using the first domain-wide version number, clientdevices of the first user may avoid requesting and/or receiving recordsthat were not updated since the last (most recent previous) updaterequest. Using the first domain-wide version number, client devices ofthe first user may request and/or receive only records that were updatedsince the last (most recent previous) update request for the first useraccount.

Similarly, the playback status metadata manager 214 of server computer202 may be coupled to accounts storage 212 for likewise accessing and/orretrieving and/or updating a second domain-wide version number, whichmay be associated with the second user account 282. Using the seconddomain-wide version number, client devices of the second user mayrequest and/or receive only records that were updated since the last(most recent previous) update request for the second user account.

FIGS. 3A-3G are simplified, more detailed block diagrams illustratingoperation of the computer system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIGS. 3A-3Gshow media file manager 310 and playback status metadata manager 314 ofserver computer 302. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3G, the playback statusmetadata manager 314 of server computer 302 may be coupled to accountsstorage 312 for accessing and/or retrieving and/or updating the serverrecord 395 of the first user playback status metadata in the first useraccount 381.

The server record 395 may have key entries of keys related to playbackstatus metadata of the first user; value entries of values related toplayback status metadata of the first user; and domain version entriesof domain version numbers related to playback status metadata in theserver record. The server record 395 may have associations between keysrelated to playback status metadata of the first user, values related toplayback status metadata of the first user and domain version numbersrelated to playback status metadata in the server record, as illustratedusing rows in the figures. In other words, in the figures each row ofkey, value and domain version number illustrates an association betweenthat key, value and domain version number.

Additionally, while the playback position value of the playback statusmetadata has already been discussed, various additional value entries ofthe playback status metadata are shown in FIGS. 3A-3G. A favorites valueof the playback status metadata may provide information relating to howthe first user favors the media item corresponding such playback statusmetadata. A wish list value of the playback status metadata may provideinformation relating to how the first user prioritizes in a wish listthe media item corresponding to such playback status metadata. A readingposition value of the playback status metadata may provide informationrelating where the first user has paused reading an electronic bookmedia item corresponding such playback status metadata. A bookmarksvalue of the playback status metadata may provide information relatingpositions of particular interest to the first user reading an electronicbook media item corresponding to such playback status metadata. Anannotations value of the playback status metadata may provideinformation relating annotations of the first user made during playbackof the media item corresponding such playback status metadata. Aperformance value of the playback status metadata may provideinformation relating client device performance experienced by the firstuser during playback of the media item corresponding to such playbackstatus metadata.

In addition to what is explicitly shown in the figures, the serverrecord 395 may further comprise additional data related to playbackstatus for each particular digital media file, as identified by eachmedia file identification number of each key. The server record 395 mayfurther comprise respective “has been played” values for indicatingwhether each of the digital media files has been played. The “has beenplayed” values may be Boolean values. When client devices of the firstuser are updated using the server record 395, the client devices maydisplay a listing of the digital media files, and may display anindicator (e.g. a blue dot) adjacent to digital media files that havenot been played (e.g. digital media files associated with “has beenplayed” values of “0”). The server record 395 may further compriserespective “number of plays” values for indicating number of times thateach of the digital media files has been played. If a value of “has beenplayed” is “1” and a value of “number of plays” is greater than, orequal to “1”, then the client device may display another indicator (e.g.absence of a blue dot) adjacent to digital media files associated withsuch values. If a value of “has been played” is “1” and a value of“number of plays” is less than “1”, then the client device may displayyet another indicator (e.g. half of a blue dot) adjacent to digitalmedia files associated with such values. The client device may furtherdisplay an indicator of time remaining for playing the digital mediafile, which may be substantially related to the values for “has beenplayed” and/or “number of plays” for the digital media file.

The server record 395 may further comprise respective timestamps, forindicating time of last user actions corresponding to each of theparticular media files. The timestamps may be used by the playbackstatus metadata manager 314 for resolving possible conflicts in updates,which may be received from the client devices. The playback statusmetadata manager 314 may compare timestamps. The playback statusmetadata manager 314 may use a “last user action wins” strategy forresolving conflicts. Furthermore, the playback status metadata manager314 may determine age of each of the server records and/or may determinenumber of server records. In managing server records, the playbackstatus metadata manager 314 may evict records from the database based oncomparison to one or more threshold values such as maximum permittedrecord age and/or maximum permitted number of records.

FIG. 3B shows the playback status metadata manager 314 of servercomputer 302 receiving the first write request 371 for playback statusmetadata from the first client device of the first user. FIG. 3C showsthe playback status metadata manager 314 of server computer 302 updatingserver record 395 of the playback status metadata of the first user inresponse to the first write request 371 just discussed with respect toFIG. 3B. In the figures, single asterisks “*” are used torepresentatively illustrate a single update to the playback positionvalue and the domain version number of the playback status metadata.

FIG. 3D shows the playback status metadata manager 314 of servercomputer 302 receiving the first read request 373 for playback statusmetadata from the second client device of the first user. As a generalmatter, in response to its read request, a client device may receiveplayback status metadata from the server computer. The client device maylocally store playback status metadata received from the servercomputer. In some cases, the digital media file corresponding to thereceived playback status metadata may be absent from the client device.For example, a client device (e.g. the second client device of the firstuser) may receive a response to its read request 373 from the servercomputer 302, and the client device may locally store playback statusmetadata received from the server computer 302, even though the digitalmedia file corresponding to the playback status metadata may be absentfrom the client device (e.g. the second client device of the firstuser). FIG. 3E shows the playback status metadata manager 314 of servercomputer 302 receiving a write request 375 for playback status metadatafrom the second client device of the first user. FIG. 3F shows theplayback status metadata manager 314 of server computer 302 updatingserver record 395 of the playback status metadata of the first user inresponse to the write request 375 just discussed with respect to FIG.3E. In the figures, double asterisks “**” are used to representativelyillustrate a second update to the playback position value and the domainversion number of the playback status metadata. FIG. 3G shows theplayback status metadata manager 314 of server computer 302 receiving aread request 377 for playback status metadata from the first clientdevice of the first user.

FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram illustrating an example of the first writerequest 471 for playback status metadata from the first client device ofthe first user, as shown previously in FIG. 3B. The first write requestmay include the device identification number of the first client deviceof the first user. For example, the first client device of the firstuser may have a client device identification number “441029” as shown inFIG. 4. As mentioned previously, using associations that may be recordedin the first user device record, the server computer can identify thefirst user and/or first user account when any of the client devices ofthe first user access the server computer using device identificationnumbers of such client devices of the first user.

The first write request 471 may have key entries of keys related toplayback status metadata of the first user; value entries of valuesrelated to playback status metadata of the first user; and base versionentries of base version numbers related to playback status metadata onthe first client device of the first user. The first write request 471may have associations between keys related to playback status metadataof the first user, values related to playback status metadata of thefirst user and base version numbers related to playback status metadataof the first client device, as illustrated using rows in FIG. 4. Inother words, in FIG. 4 each row of key, value and base version numberillustrates an association between that key, value and base versionnumber.

Additionally, while the playback position value of the playback statusmetadata is shown with a single asterisk “*”, so as to representativelyillustrate in FIG. 4 that the playback position value has been updated.FIG. 4 also shows a favorites value of the playback status metadata,which may provide information relating to how the first user favors themedia item corresponding such playback status metadata. A wish listvalue of the playback status metadata may provide information relatingto how the first user prioritizes in a wish list the media itemcorresponding to such playback status metadata. A reading position valueof the playback status metadata may provide information relating wherethe first user has paused reading an electronic book media itemcorresponding such playback status metadata. A bookmarks value of theplayback status metadata may provide information relating positions ofparticular interest to the first user reading an electronic book mediaitem corresponding to such playback status metadata. An annotationsvalue of the playback status metadata may provide information relatingannotations of the first user made during playback of the media itemcorresponding to such playback status metadata. A performance value ofthe playback status metadata may provide information relating clientdevice performance experienced by the first user during playback of themedia item corresponding to such playback status metadata.

The first write request 471 for playback status metadata may identifymedia content. In particular, each of the keys of the first writerequest 471 for playback status metadata shown in FIG. 4 may comprisemedia file identification numbers. Each of the media file identificationnumbers may uniquely identify a corresponding digital media file for acorresponding media item. In the example discussed previously, the mediafile identification number “5512345” identified the digital media forthe particular video media item.

Further, each of the keys of the first write request 471 for playbackstatus metadata shown in FIG. 4 may comprise a namespace designation,which may comprise one or more of various playback status metadata typenamespaces that relate to the playback status metadata. For example, thefirst write request may comprise a designation of a playback positionnamespace (e.g. “position”) that relates to the playback position valuein the playback status metadata for the particular video item. Inaddition, the keys in FIG. 4 may designate a favorites namespace, a wishlist namespace, a reading position namespace, a bookmarks namespace, anannotations namespace, and/or a performance namespace.

FIG. 5 is simplified, more detailed diagram illustrating the server,accounts storage and in particular the second user account shown in FIG.2. FIG. 5 shows media file manager 510 and playback status metadatamanager 514 of server computer 502. As shown in FIG. 5, the playbackstatus metadata manager 514 of server computer 502 may be coupled toaccounts storage 512 for accessing and/or retrieving and/or updating theserver record 596 of the second user playback status metadata in thesecond user account 582.

The server record 596 may have key entries of keys related to playbackstatus metadata of the second user; value entries of values related toplayback status metadata of the second user; and domain version entriesof domain version numbers related to playback status metadata in theserver record. The server record 596 may have associations between keysrelated to playback status metadata of the second user, values relatedto playback status metadata of the second user and domain versionnumbers related to playback status metadata in the server record, asillustrated using rows in the figures. In other words, in FIG. 5 eachrow of key, value and domain version number illustrates an associationbetween that key, value and domain version number.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process 600 for unifying playback statusaccess and/or updating playback status according to some embodiments.The process 600 is, for example, performed by a network-based server,such as the server computer 102 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Initially the server computer may receive 610 a write request forplayback status metadata from a first client device of a first user. Theprocess 600 may continue as the server computer may retrieve 620 aserver record for playback status metadata. The process 600 may continueas the server computer may compare 630 a domain version number of theserver record and a base version number of the write request.

The process 600 may continue to a decision 640. At the decision 640 theserver computer may determine whether to update the server record, basedat least in part upon the comparison of the base version number of theplayback status metadata of the write request and the domain versionnumber of the server record. If the decision is yes, then the processmay update the server record and the process 600 may continue as theserver computer may store 650 the updated server record for playbackstatus metadata. Otherwise, if the decision is no, then the storage ofthe updated server record may be omitted.

In any case, the process 600 may continue as the server computer maytransmit 660 a write request response to the first client device. Theprocess 600 may continue as the server computer may receive 670 a readrequest for playback status metadata from a second client device. Theprocess 600 may continue as the server computer may transmit 680 a readrequest response to the second client device. Once the read requestresponse has been transmitted the process 600 may end.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process 700 for managing playback statusaccess for a plurality of client devices according to one embodiment.The process 700 is, for example, performed by a network-based server,such as the server computer 102 illustrated in FIG. 1. Initially, theserver computer may receive 710 a first write request for playbackstatus metadata from a first client device of a first user.

The process 700 may continue as the server computer may receive 720 asecond write request for playback status from a first client device of asecond user. The process 700 may continue as the server computer mayreceive 730 a third write request for playback status metadata from asecond client device of the first user. The process 700 may continue asthe server computer may receive 740 a fourth write request for playbackstatus metadata from a second client device of the second user.

The process 700 may continue as the server computer may retrieve 750 afirst server record relating to playback status metadata of the firstuser. The process 700 may continue as the server computer may retrieve760 a second server record relating to playback status metadata of thesecond user.

The process 700 may continue as the server computer may determine 770whether the first server record relating to playback status metadata ofthe first user is to be updated. The process 700 may continue as theserver computer may determine 780 whether the second server recordrelating to playback status metadata of the second user is to beupdated. Once the server computer has determined whether the secondserver record is to be updated, the process 700 may end.

The invention can be implemented by software, hardware or a combinationof hardware and software. The invention can also be embodied as computerreadable code on a tangible (e.g., non-transitory) computer readablemedium. The tangible computer readable medium is any data storage devicethat can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system.Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory,random-access memory, CD-ROMs, DVDs, magnetic tape and optical datastorage devices.

The advantages of the invention are numerous. Different aspects,embodiments or implementations may yield one or more of the followingadvantages. One advantage of embodiments of the invention is that accessto playback status may be unified across a plurality of client devices.Another advantage of embodiments of the invention is that playbackstatus access may be managed.

The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of theinvention can be used separately or in any combination.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparentfrom the written description and, thus, it is intended by the appendedclaims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention.Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur tothose skilled in the art, the invention should not be limited to theexact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Forexample, while embodiments employing client devices transmitting readrequests to the server have been discussed in detail, the invention isnot limited to such polling arrangements of such embodiments.Furthermore, in other embodiments, the playback status metadata mangerof the server may transmit push notifications to the client devices.More particularly, the playback status metadata manger of the server maypush updates of the playback status metadata to the client devices.Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to asfalling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for unifyingplayback status access across a plurality of client devices comprising:receiving a write request for playback status metadata at a server via acomputer network from a first client device, wherein the playback statusmetadata is descriptive of a playback status of media content on thefirst client device; and retrieving a server record relating to theplayback status metadata.
 2. A computer implemented method as recited inclaim 1 wherein the write request identifies a first user account.
 3. Acomputer implemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein the writerequest identifies the media content.
 4. A computer implemented methodas recited in claim 1 wherein the write request identifies a namespacecomprising at least one of: a playback position namespace, a favoritesnamespace; a wish list namespace; reading position namespace; abookmarks namespace; an annotations namespace; and a performancenamespace.
 5. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 1wherein the playback status metadata of the media content comprises atleast one of: a playback position value, a favorites value; a wish listvalue; reading position value; a bookmarks value; an annotations value;and a performance value.
 6. A computer implemented method as recited inclaim 1 wherein the write request identifies a base version number ofthe playback status metadata that is descriptive of the playback statusof media content on the first client device.
 7. A computer implementedmethod as recited in claim 1 wherein server record identifies a domainversion number relating to the playback status metadata.
 8. A computerimplemented method as recited in claim 1 wherein: the write requestidentifies a base version number the playback status metadata that isdescriptive of the playback status of media content on the first clientdevice; the server record identifies a domain version number relating tothe playback status metadata; and the method further comprises comparingto generate a comparison of the domain version number of the serverrecord and the base version number of the playback status metadata ofthe write request.
 9. A computer implemented method as recited in claim8 further comprising transmitting from the server to the first device aversion conflict notification to the first device based upon thecomparison of the domain version number of the server record and thebase version number of the playback status metadata of the writerequest.
 10. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 8 furthercomprising determining whether to update the server record based atleast in part upon the comparison of the base version number of theplayback status metadata of the write request and the domain versionnumber of the server record.
 11. A computer implemented method forupdating playback status comprising: receiving a write request at aserver via a computer network from a portable multifunction clientdevice and descriptive of a playback status of displaying media contenton a touch screen display of the portable multifunction client device;and updating using the server to generate an updated record of playbackstatus of the media content in response to receiving the write requestfrom the portable multifunction client device.
 12. A computerimplemented method as recited in claim 11 further comprising storingusing the server to store the updated record of playback status of themedia content.
 13. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 11wherein the receiving the write request at the server is in response toa predefined gesture on the touch screen display or a media activity ofthe portable multifunction client device.
 14. A computer implementedmethod as recited in claim 11 further comprising receiving a readrequest at the server via a computer network from a remote client devicewith a remote display.
 15. A computer implemented method as recited inclaim 14 further comprising transmitting from the server to the remoteclient via the computer network the updated record of playback status ofthe media content.
 16. A computer implemented method as recited in claim14 wherein the receiving the read request at the server is in responseto a media activity of the remote client device.
 17. A computerimplemented method as recited in claim 14 wherein the transmitting fromthe server to the remote client the updated record of playback status ofthe media content is to display the media content on the remote displayin accordance with the status of the portable multifunction clientdevice.
 18. A computer implemented method as recited in claim 14wherein: the write request is descriptive of status of progress of theportable multifunction device in playing the media content on the touchscreen display; and the transmitting from the server to the remoteclient the updated record of playback status of the media content is toplay the media content on the remote display in accordance with thestatus of progress of the portable multifunction client device inplaying the media content on the touch screen display.
 19. A computerimplemented method as recited in claim 14 wherein: the receiving thewrite request at the server is in response to pausing or stopping of thedisplaying media content on the touch screen display of the portablemultifunction client device; the write request is descriptive of aplayback position of the pausing or stopping of the displaying mediacontent on the touch screen display of the portable multifunction clientdevice; and the transmitting from the server to the remote client theupdated record of playback status of the media content is to resumeplayback display of the media content on the remote display inaccordance with the playback position of the pausing or stopping of thedisplaying media content on the touch screen display of the portablemultifunction client device.
 20. A computer implemented method formanaging playback status access for a plurality of client devicescomprising: receiving a first write request for playback status metadataat a server via a computer network from a first client device of a firstuser, wherein the playback status metadata of the first write request isdescriptive of a playback status of media content on the first clientdevice of the first user; and receiving a second write request forplayback status metadata at the server via the computer network from afirst client device of a second user, wherein the playback statusmetadata of the second write request is descriptive of a playback statusof media content on the first client device of the second user.
 21. Acomputer implemented method as recited in claim 20 wherein: the firstwrite request for playback status metadata from the first client deviceof the first user identifies the first user account; and the secondwrite request for playback status metadata from the first client deviceof the second user identifies the second user account.
 22. A computerimplemented method as recited in claim 20 further comprising: receivinga third write request for playback status metadata at the server via thecomputer network from a second client device of the first user, whereinthe playback status metadata of the third write request is descriptiveof a playback status of media content on the second client device of thefirst user; and receiving a fourth write request for playback statusmetadata at the server via the computer network from a second clientdevice of the second user, wherein the playback status metadata of thefourth write request is descriptive of a playback status of mediacontent on the second client device of the second user.
 23. A computerimplemented method as recited in claim 20 further comprising: retrievinga first server record relating to playback status metadata of the firstuser; and retrieving a second server record relating to playback statusmetadata of the second user.
 24. A computer implemented method asrecited in claim 22 further comprising: determining whether the firstserver record relating to playback status metadata of the first user isto be updated; and determining whether the second server record relatingto playback status metadata of the second user is to be updated.
 25. Acomputer system for managing playback status access for a plurality ofclient devices comprising: a server computer; a first client device of afirst user coupled with the server computer and configured fortransmitting a first write request for playback status metadata to theserver computer, wherein the playback status metadata of the first writerequest is descriptive of a playback status of media content on thefirst client device of the first user; and a second client device of thefirst user coupled with the server computer and configured fortransmitting a first read request for playback status metadata to theserver computer.